I ended up buying a Ruger American Compact All Weather from Prophet River. I'll start with the purchasing experience. Prophet River has a reputation for taking care of its customers and this time was no different. I hope they won't be upset by my publishing this, but it goes to show how helpful they are. I had asked for a regular 22" barreled action to be swapped into a compact stock. I certainly would not have thought anything of it if they simply said "no". But Tanner talked to his manager and they agreed to do it this one time. Wow. What can I say?
So I wanted the rifle for a certain time and it was to arrive within that time frame. Unfortunately they were busy and it didn't go out the Friday morning as expected. So what do they do? They express ship it on their dime.
The rifle arrived and, to my dismay, there was a problem with the bolt face. I sent an email and pictures. What do they do? No questions asked they immediately ship me a replacement barreled action.
So I have to say that I am very, very impressed in the way they handled the initial order and the issues that arose thereafter. And keep in mind that we are talking about a $650 rifle here, so I suspect not exactly a huge profit on it. But they treated me very well and spent a significant time making things right. So two thumbs up for Prophet River.
Now to the rifle. The finish is fairly basic, but nicely dulled (matte). The magazine looks very basic, but seems, surprisingly, solid. It does not have such a flimsy feel like a Savage's magazine. The recoil pad is nice and soft and the stock seems solid and not as hollow feeling as that of a Tikka T3 Lite. The rifle came with Weaver style bases installed. The action feels a little gritty, but I suspect that will smooth out with time. Again, for a comparison, not nearly as smooth as a T3.
Interestingly on one of the barreled actions the trigger is only partially painted. You can't see that when it is in the stock.
I'll add to this thread once I mount the Elite 2.5-10x40 scope on it and get it out to the range. So far it looks like an acceptable basic rifle. Far nicer in my view than a Savage Axis SS.
So I wanted the rifle for a certain time and it was to arrive within that time frame. Unfortunately they were busy and it didn't go out the Friday morning as expected. So what do they do? They express ship it on their dime.
The rifle arrived and, to my dismay, there was a problem with the bolt face. I sent an email and pictures. What do they do? No questions asked they immediately ship me a replacement barreled action.
So I have to say that I am very, very impressed in the way they handled the initial order and the issues that arose thereafter. And keep in mind that we are talking about a $650 rifle here, so I suspect not exactly a huge profit on it. But they treated me very well and spent a significant time making things right. So two thumbs up for Prophet River.
Now to the rifle. The finish is fairly basic, but nicely dulled (matte). The magazine looks very basic, but seems, surprisingly, solid. It does not have such a flimsy feel like a Savage's magazine. The recoil pad is nice and soft and the stock seems solid and not as hollow feeling as that of a Tikka T3 Lite. The rifle came with Weaver style bases installed. The action feels a little gritty, but I suspect that will smooth out with time. Again, for a comparison, not nearly as smooth as a T3.
Interestingly on one of the barreled actions the trigger is only partially painted. You can't see that when it is in the stock.
I'll add to this thread once I mount the Elite 2.5-10x40 scope on it and get it out to the range. So far it looks like an acceptable basic rifle. Far nicer in my view than a Savage Axis SS.
